By virtue of their 2-1 win over Czechia in their Five Nations Tournament finale on home ice in Nyköping, going a perfect 4-0 by a combined score of 19-6, the Juniorkronorna clinched their 130th IHLC victory, passing Canada for the first spot in the all-time IHLC Rankings.
Sweden, who has won thirteen games since capturing Gold at the World Junior Championships this past January, now sets themselves up in great shape to repeat as champions for the first time in history, looking to win just their fourth title overall. They move into first ever with the most junior games played as well, winning 130 of their 229 total games since their first tilt against the Soviet Union on 01 January 1974, with the bulk of their wins coming against Finland (29), Czechia and Russia (both 22).
Sweden will now look to carry the IHLC into the upcoming World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, Canada – where ironically their first two matches will be exhibition tilts against the hosts Canada, looking to take back top spot in the IHLC Rankings, facing Sweden on both 20 and 22 December in both host cities. Of course, much of this is dependent on the status of the tournament, as Russia’s potential involvement given the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s recent ruling overturning the IIHF could throw a major wrench into the tournament.
Congratulations to Sweden for topping the table, and potentially growing their lead over their rivals into the new year!
